Tennessee law requires couples to obtain a marriage license before they can solemnize a marriage. The license authorizes the solemnization of the marriage and is valid for 30 days from issuance.
Per T.C.A. 1-3-102, the 30 days is computed by excluding the first day the license is issued, and including the last day, unless the last is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, and then it shall also be excluded.
Marriages solemnized after a license has expired will not be accepted. The couple must purchase a new license, solemnize the marriage within the 30 days of the new license and return the new paperwork.
Example
The example below demonstrates how thirty days are counted when the 30th day falls on a weekend and holiday.
A license purchased on Thursday, January 16 would expire Tuesday February 18 since the last day, Saturday, February 15, and Sunday, February 16 are excluded and the holiday on Monday, February 17 is also excluded.
- Day license purchased: Thursday, January 16
- Day 1: Friday, January 17
- Day 2: Saturday, January 18
- Day 3: Sunday, January 19
- Day 4: Monday, January 20 (holiday)
- Day 5: Tuesday, January 21
- Day 6-Day 27: January 22-February 12
- Day 28: Thursday, February 13
- Day 29: Friday, February 14
- Saturday, February 15 is excluded.
- Sunday, February 16 is excluded.
- Monday, February 17 is excluded because it is a holiday.
- Day 30: Tuesday, February 18
- The license is expired on Wednesday, February 19.
Note: The dates above are for the 2025 calendar year.
